Why South Korean Media May Hesitate to Report in Defense of Dr. Hak Ja Han
AP Photo/Lee Jin-man
Concerns are mounting over the detention of Dr. Hak Ja Han, the 82-year-old spiritual leader widely recognized as the Mother of Peace, as many South Korean media specialists remain hesitant to publicly support her or question her alleged guilt. Her case has raised significant international attention, prompting debates over religious freedom in South Korea and the role of the media in speaking truth to power.
In a recent sermon, Rev. Demian Dunkley criticized the inconsistencies and perceived injustices surrounding Dr. Moon’s detention:
“If the case is so strong, then why the spectacle? If justice is fair, then why the intimidation? Can someone still say this is not religious persecution? Then please explain to me why they would lock up an 82-year-old great-grandmother who has multiple health problems, including a heart condition and just had a procedure. Who can barely see, barely walk. Who has offered eight decades for the sake of peace without ever having received even a single parking ticket.”
These comments highlight why South Korean journalists and media specialists may feel constrained. Despite personal beliefs about Dr. Moon’s innocence, the combination of political pressure, fear of retaliation, and professional risk can create a chilling effect on reporting.
Rev. Dunkley also questioned the logic of holding her as a “flight risk”:
“And when they have already taken her passport, they seek to detain her because she’s a flight risk? Come on! What’s she going to do? Row a little boat into North Korea?”
This illustrates how common-sense facts about Mother Han’s health and mobility are at odds with the official narrative—yet public reporting on such contradictions can be risky in South Korea’s media environment.
Dunkley framed the situation as a moral and spiritual test:
“The time for watching is over. The time for wondering is over. The time for standing has come. Here is the line that heaven has drawn with fear on one side and faith on the other. Convenience on one side. Conscience on the other. Heaven is asking this. Will we be a generation that guards heaven’s sovereignty? Or a generation that looked away? Will this nation protect the one who prayed for its birth, or silence her voice?”
For South Korean media specialists, these words underscore the tension between professional safety and moral conscience. While many may personally believe Mother Han is innocent and should be released, the environment of intimidation and political pressure discourages public advocacy.
As international scrutiny grows, the case of Dr. Hak Ja Han continues to raise important questions about religious freedom, justice in South Korea, and the vital role of a free and independent media. The world is watching whether South Korea will uphold human rights and protect a spiritual leader who has dedicated her life to peace and reconciliation.